Since the closure of Slack’s in the summer of 2013, there hasn’t been a drinking spot targeting women-loving women, even though a number of new monthly lesbian parties — Tramp, Bush Beat, Back to Church and Toastr — suggest there’s a demand for a regular venue. The Flying B aims to fill that void.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s no coincidence. “I’ve spent the last two and a half years trying to explain how the Flying Beaver is not a lesbian bar. Flying B will be one,” says Maggie Cassella, co-owner of The Flying Beaver Pubaret on Parliament Street. “We wanted people to know it was us [opening this new spot] . . . under Fly. We’re trying to tie it all together.”
The owners of Fly asked Heather Mackenzie, Cassella’s business partner and the owner of the original Slack Alice, if the pair was interested in taking over the lower lounge area once connected to the 8 Gloucester St nightclub. Within six weeks, dates were set. Mackenzie and Cassella are eager to get women into the cozy space just off Church Street.
“It’s a lesbian dance club open weekends and Sunday for tea-dances, which are very common in the United States, like in Province-town, and also in Montreal,” Cassella says.
“We’re trying to bring a little P-town and Montreal to Toronto. The space reminds me of small lesbian bars in New York, too, that I love so much,” Mackenzie adds.
“I want to put the light back into the eyes of the people I disappointed when I told them The Flying Beaver Pubaret isn’t a lesbian bar,” Cassella says.
The Flying B opens Fri, Feb 7, 8pm, with DJ Jacqie Jaguar, followed by DJs Leticia Love, Sticky Cuts and Kish Delish on Saturday, and DJ Dallas spinning the Sunday tea-dance, 4–7pm.
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